The Gratitude Project 2012 - Day 16

Oh my word, today was lovely! God gave us a chilly but sunny fall day to enjoy as a family. Hubby took off work today, because we had some prep work to do at church in the children's room before we give it a new coat of paint tomorrow. We took all the kids with us, and it ended up being a very great family day!

I was so thankful for the time we all spent together working in that room, pitching in where each could, looking toward a common goal. Even the baby was able to help hold my scissors and tape until I needed it. It was awesome to look around and see all six of us taping up the walls, laying paper on the floor, and each taking a turn at priming the wall. If we had not all pitched in, we would be nowhere near as far as we are. Now, tomorrow morning, we can walk in with the group of team members who have agreed to help paint, and we can immediately start rolling the walls. YAY! Very thankful!

And I was thankful that all four of my kids went outside and helped me pick up pecans while Brient was working on the room. I told the little ones that it was like hunting for Easter eggs, so that made it a really fun game. Because of the help of all four of them, we have plenty of pecans to put in our freezer for the next year. In the Deep South, you only get these golden gems once a year, so I always try to stock my freezer. And I was very thankful that I was given permission to pick up pecans at the church! Very thankful!!

And at this very moment, I am thankful for a warm house and a comfy bed, because my back is KILLING ME after picking up pecans for about two hours!

The Gratitude Project 2012 - Day 15

Today was pretty much a carry over from yesterday. A day that I just wanted to stay in bed with my head under the covers. I am weary. Very weary. Life has me completely spent, empty. It's not just one thing that has me feeling this way. It's everything - all at once! So today, I'm looking for joy and being thankful in the little things, because, seriously, there is no big thing today.

Where to start... I made more homemade hot chocolate with my kids this morning to enjoy while we read history again. I absolutely love that time of the day! All my kids are around the table (except the baby who goes to play while we read, because she's bored with history), and we all are spending that thirty minutes or so together. Love being with them!

Britches and I worked together on her new micro-business of making and selling beeswax candles. She has been working hard to clean out and melt down some wax that my sweet friend, Amy, gave her, and today we finished the cleaning process. I had the chance to talk to her about how cleaning and purifying the wax was a lot like how God works with us. He keeps pouring us through the filter to get out more impurities. And even when we look pretty good, God looks at us closer and sees that there is still more sin and self that needs to be filtered out of our hearts. And when He finishes with us, we, like the wax, are a beautiful color, are smooth and lovely, and are now USEABLE! I am very thankful for God moments that I have with each of my kids to share with them about Almighty God and His great love for them. A love that takes the time to search their hearts, try them, and see that there is no unclean thing in them. No, none of us will ever get to the point of perfection until we reach heaven, but I'm so thankful that God never gives up on making us more like His Son, Jesus Christ. Very thankful for that!

It was a beautiful, crisp fall day in the Deep South, and I was thankful that my two middle kids were able to get outside and play for awhile. They love being outside, and they were having fun making a leaf pile.

I am thankful for the few moments I had to just sit in the recliner with my youngest and play a memory game on my tablet. She's getting so big (just turned four) and so smart.

And I'm thankful I had some time today to sit and sink myself into a good book that I recently downloaded for FREE (thankful for that!), Hope for the Weary Mom. It has been exactly what I needed right now in my life. It's more like a devotional book than just a reading book, and I have gotten so much out of it. I'm thankful to know I'm not the only person in this world struggling with weariness.

And in just a little while, I will be thankful for the gluten free biscuit recipe that I found a few weeks ago as I sink my teeth into some comfort food loaded with some homemade pear butter or jelly - maybe two biscuits so I can have both! Eating a gluten free diet STINKS, and there are days I just want to throw my hands up and be done. But since this isn't exactly a "diet" that I'm just doing to lose weight or something, I actually have to stick with it. Unless, of course, I want to end up sick for the next week. So I am very thankful for the recipes I have found that actually TASTE GOOD, because, really, not all of them are worth more than going in the TRASH!

So that's my day. Being thankful in the little things over here. And praying for a better day tomorrow.

The Gratitude Project 2012 - Day 14

Today has been a stretch for me trying to figure out what I'm thankful for. It's been "one of those days" in life that I just wish I could go back to bed and forget the whole day - or, in this case, the whole week. Grrrr..... But since it's Wednesday and I went to church, I still have something for which to be thankful.

I know I've already said this before, but I must say it again. I am so thankful God has called us to this new church to serve these people. We have only been there for a few months, but already I love them. I am thankful for a pastor who preaches right to my heart EVERY SINGLE TIME HE SPEAKS! It's amazing to me how God works like that through that guy. AMAZING! I'm thankful that I still live in a country (at least for now) where I am free to go to church and worship my God. Truly, it is a privilege that many do not have.

And I was thankful for the hot chocolate that my kids and I shared while reading history this morning. That always lifts my mood, and it's such a sweet time around the table with them. Don't know what I would do in this life without them - yes, all four of them (even the baby).

The Gratitude Project 2012 - Day 13

Today, I am thankful for our library. We went to the weekly craft and activity time today, and all the kids had a blast. The library is a place we have gone since my oldest were just babies, and we always love it!

Ms. Betty B. is our most favorite librarian in the whole world, and, since we have seen her for so many years now, we have adopted her as part of our family.

I love the fact that we can get all the school books we could ever need from that place, and I don't have to pay a dime - unless, of course, I am late returning, which does happen occasionally. If I had to PAY for all the school books we get from that place, well, let's just say I wouldn't be able to homeschool.

And today, I was thankful that a sweet friend happened to be at the library at the same time, and I got to have a lovely chat with her. I don't get to see her often enough, so that was a treat!

 Little Sister just loves picking out books every week!

 My Little Man isn't so little anymore. ~sniff, sniff~

Baby Girl with her good friend and her new doll. 

Yes, I have an older girl, but she was over in the teen section and didn't get her picture made. The fact that she was in the TEEN section is sad enough, because that means she's BIG! NOOOO! OK, enough of that. These are the things today for which I'm thankful.

The Gratitude Project 2012 - Days 10, 11, and 12

This weekend was crazy busy getting ready for ministry on Sunday morning. I was juggling more things than my mind could even remember. I was glad I had the good sense God gave me to WRITE ALL OF IT DOWN! If I hadn't kept a list to check off as I finished each thing, I never would have gotten it all done. So, needless to say, blogging was not on my list of "to-do's". So where did we leave off? Ahh, yes - days 10 and 11, and today.

Saturday, I spent the whole day non-stop moving. I was getting ready for Baby Girl's fourth birthday party with her two sets of grandparents, and her best friend, Little Sister. I am thrilled beyond words that she thinks of Little Sister as her best friend! And they really ARE! I was also cleaning house for said birthday party, which is a never ending event around here. (Probably why I hate it so much! IT NEVER ENDS!) And I also kept moving on getting my things ready for church. I stayed moving from morning until my head hit the pillow. But in the midst of all that going and going and going, I was still thinking of how thankful I am. I was thankful God granted me the ENERGY to do all of those things non-stop.

For many months now, I have had some physical issues that have caused me to be completely run down. And I don't just mean a little tired here and there. I mean like I can hardly pull myself out of the bed I am so exhausted! Add that to my never ending gut issues, and I have just been good for nothing on some days. Nearly every afternoon, you will find me curled up in the recliner or on my couch, because, if I don't catch at least a short nap, I just can't function for the rest of the day - literally. And some days, I have had to take two naps. I totally don't have time for this, but I have finally given in to it and realized that, if I didn't rest, I really would be no good for anything! So Saturday, when I was completely full of energy, and when I was able to keep going and getting things done that I haven't had the energy to do, I was very thankful! God filled me with HIS strength to accomplish the things He set before me, and I was so thankful for that!

And Sunday, I had many, many things for which to be thankful. Church, of course. I love what I do, and I love the new church God has called us to serve. Every Sunday I am reminded how thankful I am that God chose ME to join in his work. I was thankful for that check-off list that I had made the day before that kept me going through the morning! I was thankful for a new team member who stepped into the children's room (I am pretty sure for the first time) to help me out with a quick skit! As I talked to all my workers, I was reminded how VERY THANKFUL for each of them I am, because, without them, I couldn't do what I do! And I was thankful for a date to town with my hubby after church to go to Lowe's and buy paint. Next Saturday, we will be joining forces with several of our volunteers and giving our children's and toddler room an updated look. Thankful for paint and the date with Brient!

Today begins our last week of homeschooling before we take a Thanksgiving break. I was VERY thankful for that fact! And I'm thankful for each of my kids who I get to stay home with and enjoy each day. I'm so thankful God allows me that privilege. I'm thankful for all three of my sweet girls and my very sweet boy. God knew Brient and I needed each one of them.

So I think that catches me up. Are you participating in The Gratitude Project? Share with me some things for which you are thankful!

The Gratitude Project 2012 - Day 9

Today, I am thankful for time with my family. I love the fact that, nearly every night, we sit down together at supper and share some laughs over our meal. And tonight after supper, we all piled up in the living room together to watch "Herbie Rides Again" as our family movie.

I love seeing my son and Little Sister snuggled up close to each other while they watched. Not everyone can say that their kids actually LIKE being together, much less snuggling during a movie. But all four of my kids love being together and loving on each other, and that makes me so happy. That is a direct result of our homeschooling and the fact that they have to be together a lot and are REQUIRED to learn to work together and get along. The fruit of that - they love being together.

And I got to snuggle up next to my hubby in the recliner, which is always one of my favorite things to do. I am very thankful for that time.

Time with my family is a really special thing to me. My husband works all over the place and isn't always home in the evenings. When he's on call, he often works the weekend. So when we have time together as a family, I am always very aware of what a gift that time is. And I am seriously thankful for that time.

The Gratitude Project 2012 - Day 8

Here in the Deep South, it is a gorgeous day! The weather has been in the upper 50's with the sun shining. BEAUTIFUL! Today, I'm thankful for the fact that I am able to stay home with and homeschool my kids. If they went to school, and if I worked outside the home, we would miss out on days like this by having to sit inside looking at walls and artificial lighting.

As it is, my kids were out the door by 11:00AM and down in our woods playing and enjoying the day. Oh yes, we did math, spelling, and history before they took off. But for the rest of the day, they have been immersing themselves in delight directed science and nature studies. They have been soaking up the sunshine and fresh air, and enjoying the fall day that God has blessed us with.

On another note, I am glad to be able to stay home, because today I have just felt icky sicky. Fall allergies are catching up with me and I feel it all over. Sore throat, achy, coughing - the works. I am thankful that I no longer have to drag myself up to an office and muster up the strength to stick it out through the day (as I have done many times before I had kids)when I'd really rather be in bed. I'm thankful that, as my kids were enjoying time outside, I was able to rest on the couch and let my body heal itself.

 And lastly, I'm thankful that my husband was able to work from home today. Usually, he's driving all over the northern part of our state. But today was a rare treat for me. He needed to do some work on the computer, so he's been sitting in the living room working all day. It's been great to be able to pop in and talk to him in between schooling the kids, bring him breakfast and lunch without him grabbing it and running out the door, and just having him close today. Very thankful for that.

 Have you been keeping up with The Gratitude Project? What things are you thankful for this day? There are so many things all around us for which to be grateful. All you need to do is open your eyes and look around. God truly does give good gifts to His children.

The Gratitude Project 2012 - Day 7

It's the day after the big election. For today, I am thankful for my freedom to VOTE! Some people get so upset with the things the government does, and they do nothing about it. Voting is our way to SAY what we think/believe/want for our country and family. Not every country has this freedom. And in truth, I fear that, if things don't change or if God doesn't come back soon, this may very well be one of the last times our country sees this freedom. I was very saddened to see who won the election. Not that I was really excited for the "other guy" to win, either. Personally, I don't think either of them were "worth their salt". But the majority of our country has spoken, very loudly, about the direction they wish for us to go. As I sit back and reflect on that fact, I am thankful for something else. I am thankful that God is STILL God. He wasn't surprised by the results of last night's election. He wasn't sitting up in Heaven looking down going, "Wait a minute! That wasn't supposed to happen!" He is fully aware of the things going on, and He is STILL in control! And I am thankful that I know the end of the story. Yes, I realize the times in our world are very scary and uncertain. I realize our leaders are not all they should be. But this I know: The Bible says clearly that these things must come to pass before the return of Christ. God isn't surprised by these events. He already knows they are coming. He is ready for them. We should be, too. It has been prophesied in God's written word, which means it WILL happen. I can rejoice in the fact that, the sooner prophesy is fulfilled, the sooner we will be taken to Heaven, our real home, to live forever with an Almighty God. And that, my friends, is something really worth my thanks!

The Gratitude Project 2012 - Day 6

I'm a little behind over here. What can I say? We had a fun filled day yesterday with Baby Girl, and then I was too caught up in the election last night to stop to blog. Time to catch up. Day 6 - I am thankful for my Baby Girl! Yesterday was her birthday, and I just couldn't believe she is now FOUR! She was so funny walking around telling me all day that she was four and a big girl. I totally used that to my advantage! "Big girls who are four eat all their food on their plate." "Big girls who are four buckle their own seat belts." "Big girls who are four don't whine." She had the best day going around telling her brother and sisters that she was now a big girl. My house was filled with more laughter from her than it has been in a long time. She giggled over EVERYTHING! I just sat back and soaked up the sound of her laughter, because, really, it was wonderful. Her smile made my heart sing. And her laughter was music to my ears. Most days, she is a cantankerous little thing who is never happy with what she is given but always wants more or different. But not yesterday. She was just thrilled to be having her birthday, which she has been waiting for since April when Little Sister had HER birthday. We celebrated with a family birthday party of just the six of us last night. As she opened her few presents, she smiled from ear to ear and hugged each thing tight. Then she ran to each of us and gave the biggest, sweetest hugs and thanks. It melted my heart. Baby Girl is a handful to say the least. Some days she wears me slap out! But I am so thankful that God knew we needed her! I am so thankful He blessed our house with her spirit and energy. And I am thankful for the things God teaches me daily (sometimes hourly) through raising this little stinker! She is such a sweetie, and I love her so much!

(She doesn't take a picture without winking.)

The Gratitude Project 2012 - Day 5

Today the kids and I cleaned the house. Since I have no carpet in my house, it doesn't take long to get dust bunnies all over my house. And they seem to multiply overnight! One thing in this life I really hate to do is clean house. HATE IT!! I feel like there are just so many other things in life that I could be doing and actually ENJOYING, like schooling my kids, being in my garden, planning children's church stuff, or even getting a root canal! All of those would be better than stirring up the dust storm that always comes when I sweep. But I am reminded, in the midst of all that dust and laundry and dishes, just how thankful I am. I am thankful I have a house to clean. I am thankful God has given us a place to lay our heads each night out of the cold and rain and whatever. I am thankful that I have all those floors to sweep, because that means we LIVE in our house and enjoy life. That means I have kids who love playing outside in our woods and always forget to take their shoes off when they come in. It means I have a husband who leaves for work every day to provide for us, and comes in with dirt on his shoes. I am thankful for the roof over our heads and the pillows under our heads. I am thankful that my house is always noisy (for better or worse!), because that means we talk to each other and enjoy being together. It means I have 2 little ones who like to play together and drag their toys out all over that floor I just swept. I am thankful for the mountain of laundry, because that means we have been blessed with clothes to wear, most of which are hand-me-downs from great people that God has sent our way. And I am thankful for the sink full of dishes (and counter full), because that means we have enough food to eat and thus we have dishes to wash. God has blessed our family beyond measure. As much as I still hate cleaning - HATE IT! - I am seriously so very thankful for this house to clean. Oh, and one more thing. I'm thankful that God has given me four little helpers who make the job a little quicker and a little more enjoyable.

The Gratitude Project 2012 - Day 4

Today is Sunday. So what am I thankful for today?? Well church, of course!! I LOVE going to God's house on Sunday mornings. For as long as I can remember, Sunday mornings have been a part of my life. But this day, I have more reason to be thankful. A few months ago, God called Brient and I to a new church. We had been serving at a church just up the road from us for the last several years, and God told us He had a new assignment for us. So in September of this year, we moved to our new church and began work. I am so thankful God allows us to join Him in His work. The older I get, the more I realize that, as Paul said, in me there is no good thing. I am constantly amazed at the fact that He chooses to use ME in His plans. For that, I am thankful. I am so thankful that the pastor at this church saw something in me that I didn't even see in myself. He hired me as the children's pastor, and began immediately investing in my growth in that role. I am thankful for his support and encouragement. I am thankful that he is pushing me to go beyond what I have done up to this point. I am thankful for the vision that he has for this children's ministry. There are about 20 volunteers working under me, and I can't even begin to say how thankful I am for each and every one of them!! So many children's ministers talk of how hard it is to find volunteers, but in coming to this church, there were already volunteers in place. These people want to see the Kingdom of God grow through kids! They are excited, happy to be there, eager to do whatever it takes to reach kids, and FAITHFUL! There are really no words to say how thankful I am for there hard work and commitment! I am THRILLED to be able to work with them and better equip them for ministry to kids! Beyond words thankful!! And today, I am thankful that I had the opportunity to sing in the praise band. They were short quite a few people today, so they asked if I would help out. It has been over a year since I have sung in church. There are some great people who sing up there, and I was honored and humbled that they even asked me to join them. Church. I am so thankful for the body of Christ. And since God called us to a new place, I am so thankful that He is allowing us to serve at such with such a great body. "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." ~Hebrews 10:25

The Gratitude Project 2012 - Day 3

First, I would just like to say that these are NOT in order of importance, except for day 1! This year, I am just going with what I am thankful for each day, and not trying to simply go through my list according to the people or things most important to me. Today was our annual Thanksgiving Fall Fun Day for our local homeschool group. This is only the second year our family has gone, but it has been lots of fun! Our group met at the park for a meal together and some fun games and fellowship. As I drove into the park, I was met with rows of the most beautifully colored fall trees, and I was reminded of my thankfulness of God's colors all around me. He could have chosen to make the world blank and boring, but instead, He chose to use the brightest, most beautiful colors for all of his creation. I LOVE COLOR!! When we walked up to the group, my kids and I were met with some of the greatest friends we could ask for. There are mom's who are in the same "boat" as me, and it is so amazing to be able to just talk to them and realize I am not alone. There are some great ladies who have the same "food" issues as me, and it is great to be able to swap recipes and talk about all things food and health. And there are some great homeschool girls and boys who are very much like my own, and know what it's like to be "different" by not attending public school. They are sweet, respectful, and still KIDS who love to play with friends. I was reminded of how very thankful I am that God put these people in our lives. Homeschooling is a day in, day out, never ending way of life, and it's one we would not trade for anything. But I am so thankful that God has allowed us to go through this journey with other great families who are living this calling through thick and thin. We don't see these people every week, but when we do, it's as if we have never been apart. We are able to pick up right where we left off. I am so thankful for these ladies, and I don't know what I would do without them!

The Gratitude Project 2012 - Day 2

When I sit down and really think about it, there are so many things for which I am thankful, it's just hard to pick one for each day. Choices, choices... Today, I am thankful for music. Any of you who have read my blog for awhile or know me personally have heard me say before that music is the key to my soul. It speaks things that my heart wants to say but can't quite find the words. It is the means by which I celebrate the good things in life, and the way I cry out to God when I am lost in this world. When mountains stand before me, I use music to praise my God for the way He will deliver me. I cannot even begin to name all the songs that have spoken the words of my heart even in the last few weeks. But here is one that I want to share with you. It is something that has been in the very front of my mind every single day lately. It is something that the devil tries to cause me to doubt, but my God tells me is TRUTH! My past does not define me. It does not determine my future. I am redeemed. Period.

The Gratitude Project 2012 - Day 1

Today is November 1, 2012. This marks the third year that I have participated in The Gratitude Project. If you haven't heard of it before today, go right now and check out the details. I blogged about it two years ago here.

I seriously had to think about whether or not I was going to do The Gratitude Project this year. Things have been so crazy at my house, and honestly, I have just not been feeling very "grateful." There is stress in my life in every area imaginable, and some days it's all I can do to look beyond those stresses. I have had no time or desire to write in months, and I knew if I committed to this, it would mean writing daily. But as I thought about all those things, I realized that this is EXACTLY the time that I need to be focusing on those things for which I am grateful. In this life, it can be so easy to look only at the things that will bring you down. But the Bible says in Colossians 3:2...

"Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."

So again this year I will be taking the challenge to be intentionally grateful for the things God has placed in my life, those things He has taken out of my life, the people He allows me to live life with, and all other good things that are from Him.

Today, on this first day of November, I am reminded how great is my God. I serve a BIG God who loves me just the way I am. He meets me in my weakness, and covers me with His great grace. When I think about the "self" I am, I am left in amazement that my God would even choose to love me, let alone use me for His service. I am humbled to be a part of His work. I am so grateful for my God's saving grace. I am so grateful for second chances (and third and fourth). I am so grateful for forgiveness and redemption. And I am so grateful that my God loves me enough not to leave me as I am, but continues to sift all the sinfulness from my heart so I can become more like His perfect Son, Jesus. For those things, I am eternally grateful.